04-11-2022, 06:26 PM
Interview: Colonel Bob Sheridan
By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan who called some of the biggest fights including the Rumble in the Jungle – Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, spoke to Fightnews.com® about returning to broadcasting. He recently worked with Paul Malignaggi calling the fights in Mexico.
On calling the fights in Mexico…
I am back in action and did a fight in Jalisco, Mexico recently working with Paul Malignaggi and we had a lot of fun where we got the highest ratings ever for the company I worked for. I am very excited about that and they have hired us back. Paulie was great. I have worked with him before. He was sensational. Paulie was so good I let him do the blow-by-blow. I didn’t want to be cutting in on him he was so good. We work great together. I love all the networks there. They have been so kind to me.
On Kambosos vs. Haney…
I am looking forward to traveling again and coming “Down Under” with my best mate Georgie Calvin. I’d love to call the George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney fight in Melbourne on June 5. George is a great young fighter and a great champion. He has got ‘the dog.’ I like George a lot. When he beat Teofimo Lopez, he showed the world how great he was. Because of my connection to Australia, I had followed Kambosos’ career for some time. I called Jeff Horn vs. Manny Pacquiao and I absolutely love Jeff Horn, as well as David Tua, Joseph Parker, Jeff Fenech, Barry Michael, Bernie “The Attorney “ Balmer, and the great promoter Dean Lonergan. They are great mates of mine. Dean will be working with Bob Arum and Lou DiBella on promoting the George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney fight. They are some of the greatest promoters in the history of boxing.
On Australian broadcasters…
There are some great Australian boxing announcers. Ben Damon is a great guy and a great announcer. At this stage of his career, he is probably better than me. I love working with Ben. When I work with him, I do all the blow-by-blow and Ben does all the face time which is okay by me because I got an ugly mug. Ben is a very professional announcer. In fact, all those fellows with the networks are just as professional as anyone in the United States. I am very sincere when I say that when I work in Australia or New Zealand you would think you are working in New York, Boston, or Las Vegas. Ben is further along than I was when I was his age. Remember, at his age, I had done the “Rumble in the Jungle” and the “Thrilla in Manila.” I think he is terrific. Another thing – when some guy comes over from America to work in your country – the tendency is to not like him. I’ve never seen that in Ben. He always helped me out. Boxing is great in Australia.
By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Hall of Fame broadcaster Colonel Bob Sheridan who called some of the biggest fights including the Rumble in the Jungle – Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, spoke to Fightnews.com® about returning to broadcasting. He recently worked with Paul Malignaggi calling the fights in Mexico.
On calling the fights in Mexico…
I am back in action and did a fight in Jalisco, Mexico recently working with Paul Malignaggi and we had a lot of fun where we got the highest ratings ever for the company I worked for. I am very excited about that and they have hired us back. Paulie was great. I have worked with him before. He was sensational. Paulie was so good I let him do the blow-by-blow. I didn’t want to be cutting in on him he was so good. We work great together. I love all the networks there. They have been so kind to me.
On Kambosos vs. Haney…
I am looking forward to traveling again and coming “Down Under” with my best mate Georgie Calvin. I’d love to call the George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney fight in Melbourne on June 5. George is a great young fighter and a great champion. He has got ‘the dog.’ I like George a lot. When he beat Teofimo Lopez, he showed the world how great he was. Because of my connection to Australia, I had followed Kambosos’ career for some time. I called Jeff Horn vs. Manny Pacquiao and I absolutely love Jeff Horn, as well as David Tua, Joseph Parker, Jeff Fenech, Barry Michael, Bernie “The Attorney “ Balmer, and the great promoter Dean Lonergan. They are great mates of mine. Dean will be working with Bob Arum and Lou DiBella on promoting the George Kambosos vs. Devin Haney fight. They are some of the greatest promoters in the history of boxing.
On Australian broadcasters…
There are some great Australian boxing announcers. Ben Damon is a great guy and a great announcer. At this stage of his career, he is probably better than me. I love working with Ben. When I work with him, I do all the blow-by-blow and Ben does all the face time which is okay by me because I got an ugly mug. Ben is a very professional announcer. In fact, all those fellows with the networks are just as professional as anyone in the United States. I am very sincere when I say that when I work in Australia or New Zealand you would think you are working in New York, Boston, or Las Vegas. Ben is further along than I was when I was his age. Remember, at his age, I had done the “Rumble in the Jungle” and the “Thrilla in Manila.” I think he is terrific. Another thing – when some guy comes over from America to work in your country – the tendency is to not like him. I’ve never seen that in Ben. He always helped me out. Boxing is great in Australia.